ORIGINAL: deerslayer223
either the 270 or the 30-06 would be good choices. The 7mm rem might be a better option though. A little flatter and hits a little harder and not much more harsh on the shoulder. Seems to be the gun of choice out west.
slayer i would have to disagree that 7mm is the choice gun out west, in fact here in IDAHO very few people shoot 7mm, most shoot 30-06 or 338.
buck i myself would go with the 270, thats what i shoot and it has plenty of knock down power but shoots flatter than a 30-06...a lot of people have told me that 270 isn't big enough for an animal like an elk, but if you put that bullet where she needs to go it won't matter how big your caliber is
just remember you gun needs to be reliable and comfortable to shoot...you won't have as good a timehunting if you break your collarbone because your gun is too big and you put it too high on your shoulder in the heat of the moment...and it does happen